CBS ready to run another ‘Race’

Sixth season of reality skein greenlit; laffers back on WB

CBS is signing up for another “Amazing Race,” while the WB is giving the go-ahead to returning laffers “Reba,” “Grounded for Life” and “What I Like About You.”

Eye has quietly picked up the sixth season of Emmy-winning reality skein “The Amazing Race” — and the show’s fifth season won’t even bow until July. Indeed, insiders said CBS actually greenlit “Race 6″ at the end of March, barely a month into production of “Race 5.”

News that “Race” has been ordered for next season is a sign Eye execs are pleased with how “Race 5″ turned out. It can also be seen as an indication that CBS is strongly considering opening up another hour in its lineup for reality programming — possibly on Saturday nights.

Still, no decisions have been made about when CAA-packaged “Race 6″ will air; midseason or summer 2005 are the most likely options.

In addition to solid reviews and last year’s Emmy win for reality skein, “Race” has also been a young adult magnet for CBS, boosting the net’s averages in adults 18-34. “Race 5″ will air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. starting in July.

An Eye spokesman declined comment on the pickup.

As for the Frog, net’s sked continues to fall into place with the renewals of “Reba,” “Grounded” and “What I Like.” While “Reba’s” return had been assured — skein, from 20th Century Fox TV, is the WB’s top-rated comedy — C-W-M’s “Grounded” and WBTV’s “What I Like” weren’t slam dunks.

Frog has already ordered eight episodes of “Blue Collar TV” for a likely August bow, while Mark Burnett’s “Commando Nanny” and Fran Drescher-led “Shacking Up” are both considered contenders for comedy greenlights.

Still on the bubble: “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment,” “Steve Harvey’s Big Time,” “Run of the House,” “All About the Andersons,” “Like Family” and “The Help.”